A profession that faces disease and trauma and requires long hours on their feet may deter some, but for nurses, this profession was chosen to serve and ensure the health of those who live in their communities.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world. One-in-five cases in the U.S. requiring hospitalization are people between the ages of 20 and 44. A portion of Department of Defense cases are in the hospital. All Airmen are vulnerable, and overcoming this threat requires our entire Air Force working together.
Airmen must do everything possible to protect themselves, others in their local community, and their Wingmen.

How do you stand “shoulder to shoulder” in a time of COVID-19? For the United States Air and Space Forces, and indeed the entire United States military, this is no small question. It is so pressing, in fact, that the Air Force’s medical staff, in collaboration with experts nationwide, have been working nearly around the clock to answer it.
It’s not hard to understand why.

The Air Force accomplished an unprecedented mission in August 2019 when medics from across the force came together for an 8,000 mile, non-stop evacuation of a critically injured Soldier.
With a C-17 Globemaster III crew and refueling aircraft positioned along the way, 18 medics, including a Critical Care Air Transport Team, moved the patient direct from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
At every stage and under strenuous conditions, Airmen delivered exceptional care to save a life. While the length of this mission was challenging and unprecedented, this is the type of mission the Air Force prepares to execute every day, delivering ready medical support to operational forces. Air Force medics stay ready to answer that call and “fight tonight” by maintaining clinical currency and proficiency through treating patients and readiness training.